Work Begins On Melvin Price Lock Overlooks
The main lock at Mel Price Locks and Dam closed January 3 as a crew from Alberici Constructors Inc. began work to dismantle and rebuild two observation structures called overlooks that hang over each side of the main lock. The work is preparatory to the replacement of the lock’s lift gate, which will take place either next winter or the winter after that. It will be the first-ever lift gate replacement for the lock, which was completed in 1989 and is one of the younger lock and dam projects on the Mississippi River.
“It’s a cool project for us, because it’s an opportunity get to perform this type of complex building renovation over a waterway,” said Doug Engle, general manager of marine construction with Alberici.
The work began January 2 when a team moved into the lock to dewater it. Construction should take three months, according to Brian King, director of business development at Alberici. The project team has already spent several months planning and scheduling the work.
The work team will begin by setting up a temporary power source so the auxiliary lock can remain operational before the observation structure’s power source is disconnected. Then the work site will be covered with a protective enclosure to protect the surrounding area, as well as to help maintain temperatures in the work area.
A temporary support system will be erected for each overlook. Then the structure will be cut apart into chunks and taken down before a new, smaller overlook will be built, positioned to allow the lift gate replacement to take place. Placement of the overlooks in the lock’s original design made replacement of the lift gate virtually impossible.
The work will take place in the depths of winter, which brings its own challenges, King said. “It is unprecedented to be rebuilding a concrete structure on the river in the middle of winter.”
“It’s a perfect project for us. One of our strengths is our ability to deliver mission-critical structures for the Corps of Engineers under tight deadlines,” Engle said.
The work will involve three cranes, two of them barge-mounted, with four or five barges in support. The project team will fluctuate in size but could number up to 50 at the work’s peak.
St. Louis-based Alberici Constructors is a major global infrastructure contractor routinely ranked among the nation’s top civil construction firms. It has provided construction solutions for major civil programs with complex technical challenges, budgetary restrictions and wide-ranging public involvement for more than 60 years. In the last 10 years, Alberici has completed more than $2 billion in improvements on North American inland waterways.
Alberici is experienced in the construction and renovation of bridges, locks, dams, levees, ports and dock facilities. The company is also skilled in the construction of airports, hangars, interchanges and rail infrastructure. Its equipment includes more than 75 barges (crane, deck and work), two 1,000 hp. pushboats, more than 70 cranes (lattice boom, tower, hydraulic and deck) with capacities ranging from 8.5 to 300 tons, earthwork equipment, 70 fork trucks, vertical material hoists, pile hammers, concrete pumps and heavy haul and transportation equipment.
